Maricopa Community Colleges

Official Course Description:  MCCCD Approval: 5-26-09

ESS115  2009 Summer I - 9999

L+L

3.0 Credit(s)

3.0 Period(s)

Disability Examiner Services: Level V

Application of eligibility requirements and the appropriate use of disability determination tools including manuals, handbooks, and computer software.  Principles of claims management and the use of specific forms and computer software.  Application of specific disability determination techniques such as the Chavez Acquiescence Ruling, Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) assessments, and claim rationale requirements such as the concept of threshold in adjudication.  Practical experience closing live cases and writing decision notices.

Prerequisites: Current employment with Arizona Department of Economic Security, Disability Determination Services Administration. Bachelor’s degree preferred but not required.

 

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MCCCD Official Course Competencies:

 

 

ESS115  2009 Summer I - 9999

Disability Examiner Services: Level V

 

1.          Use eligibility information in manuals, handbooks, and desk aids. (I)

3.          Define the Chavez Acquiescence Ruling and describe how it applies to cases. (II)

4.          Describe the Development Process. (III)

5.          Demonstrate the ability to manage concurrent claims and special situations. (IV)

6.          Define personalized decision notice and rationale requirements. (V)

7.          Describe the function of OccuBrowse and how to research different types of work in cases requiring consideration of vocational factors. (VI)

8.          Describe and discuss the use of plain language in writing decision notices. (VII)

9.          Define and apply the concept of threshold in the adjudication of cases. (VIII)

10.        Practice case closure techniques on live cases. (VIII-X)

11.        Define the concept of Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) assessment and practice on live cases. (IX)

12.        Review process unification issues. (X)

13.        Review vocational topics. (XI)

 

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MCCCD Official Course Outline:

 

 

ESS115  2009 Summer I - 9999

Disability Examiner Services: Level V

 

I.          Definition of an Acquiescence Ruling

II.        Chavez Issues

            A.        The Chavez Acquiescence Ruling

                        1.         When the ruling applies

                        2.         Presumption of nondisability

                        3.         Rebuttal of presumption of nondisability

                        4.         Changed circumstances

                        5.         Adoption of findings

III.       The Development Process

IV.       Concurrent Claims and Special Situations

V.        Personalized Decision Notice (PDN) and Rationale Requirements

VI.       OccuBrowse

            A.        Commands

            B.        Program

                        1.         Past relevant work

                        2.         Transferability of skills

                        3.         Other work

VII.     Plain Language

            A.        Written communications

            B.        Videotape and outline

            C.        Elements of a PDN

            D.        Application to PDNs

VIII.    Threshold

            A.        Concept

                        1.         Definition

                        2.         Other

            B.        Determination

                        1.         Practice exercises

                        2.         Sample case scenarios

IX.       RFC Refresher

            A.        Definitions and outline

                        1.         Review

                        2.         Other

            B.        Videotape

                        1.         Review

                        2.         Other

            C.        Formulating RFCs

                        1.         Practice exercises

                        2.         Sample cases

                        3.         Live cases

X.        Process Unification

            A.        Refresher

                        1.         Definitions (outline)

                        2.         Concepts (outline)

                        3.         Videotape

            B.        Concept Application

                        1.         Sample case scenarios

                        2.         Other

XI.       Vocational Refresher

            A.        Review of videotapes

                        1.         Past relevant work (PRW)

                        2.         Special adverse profiles

                        3.         Other work

                        4.         Transferability of skills

                        5.         Composite jobs

                        6.         Other

            B.        Discussion of concepts of videotapes

 

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